Improvement in apparatus for coloring tobacco-leaves



E, l. (IPPELT.v

Apparatus for Coloring Tobacco Leaves. l No.15 2,004. PatentedJunelsJa-m mb'zaaes. l Ine/anhu'.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND J. OPPELT,'OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Specification-forming part of Letters Patent No.

152,004, dated June 16, 17374; application Iiled May 22, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND J. OPPELT, of Baltimore city and State of Maryland, have invented an Improved Process of Coloring Tobacco-Leaves for Cigar-Vrappers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing', and the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of this specification, in which is represented a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus by which my process is eifeeted.

It is a fact well known to all connected with the tobacco, or more especially the cigar, trade, that while the greatest demand exists for what may be known as dark 7 cigars, but few prefer Vthe light cigar, or the cigar having a light-brown wrapper. The dark cigars are thus not only much more readily sold, but invariably command a higher price. Thus it will be seen how great a desideratum it is with the manufacturer to be possessed of a cheap, simple, and practicable means of converting the ordinary light-brown leaf into a leaf of the darkest hue, if desired. This is accomplished by my apparatus, leaving the fiber ofthe leaf as perfect as the original, and at the same time robbing the original leaf almost entirely of all nicotine and all other impurities.

lith my apparatus the tobacco receives the full force of the steam, but at the same time is not subjected to its direct action, as in my invention the steam is first caused to pass through a layer of cloth, felt, or wool, and through a perforated wire frame, which leaves plenty of space for the steam, and at the same time holds the tobacco entirely free from all direct contact with the cloth or felt, which, becoming thoroughly saturated, would rot the lower layer of tobacco, rendering it valueless. The advantage of this point will readily be understood by all familiar with the working of tobacco in connection with the manufacture of cigars. i

I am aware that in the treatment of tobacco throughout its various stages steam has been employed. Consequently, the application of steam for the purpose of darkening the leaf or wrapper of the cigar is (per se) no part of my invention, which consists alone in the form,A

construction, and arrangement of the several parts of my apparatus.V

I use two steam boxes or vessels, an outer and inner one. The relative dimensions of these vessels are such that whenthe inner one is placed in position a single compact steambox is formed, the .inner box being held by suitable bearings some distance above the floor of the outer box, and at the same time a chamber is left between the vessels for the free circulation of steam. The inner box or vessel is provided with a perforated bottom, through which perforations steam is freely allowed to pass into the interior surface of the inner boX or chamber. Above this perforated bottom are layers' of cloth, felt, Src. Above this cloth or felt, and not in direct contact therewith, is secured an open wire frame, on which the leaves or wrappers of the cigars which it is vdesigned to darken are placed.

The construction and operation of my invention are as follows:

A is an ordinary metallic vessel, and may be of rect-angular or any other desired form. A is a steam-tub at the bottom of said steamvessel A. A short distance above the bottom of said vessel A are secured three or more cross bars, a a, or other suitable bearings.

These rods or bearings are designed to su e o l port the interior or what is really the tobacco chamber B. The bottom of the vessel B is punctured throughout its entire surface, as shown at b' b. At the corners of the interior surface of the vessel B are bearings b I). In the vessel rests, and is suitably secured, a layer, H, of cloth or felt, 85o., and which is designed alone to prevent the direct action of the steam on the tobacco, but at the same time to secure the advantages of its full force. Above these layers of cloth or felt is placed the open wire frame C, it being supported by means of the bearings b b. This frame C may be constructed of the ordinary metallic wire, or any other suitable material, its use and object being to keep the lower layer of tobacco free from all contact with the layer of cloth, felt, &c'., leaving plenty of space for the circulation of steam between the cloth or felt and the tobacco.

It will be readily seen that, were this wire frame omitted, and the tobacco left in immediate contact with the layer of cloth or felt, the felt being saturated with steam would soon rot the lower layer of tobacco, and thus render thc same perfectly and entirely worthless. The top of the inner vessel B is provided with two valves, d d, by means of which, should the force of steam become too great, it can instantly be allowed to escape. E, as shown by dotted lines on the drawing, is simply a funnel for the purpose of filling the supply-pipe D'.

rlhe mode of operation is as follows: The vessel being suitably cleansed, the inner vessel B is inserted, resting on and being supported by the cross-rods or other bearings a a. This leaves the perforated bottom B in immediate contact with thc steam-chamber of' the vessel A, and a steam-chamber which entirely surrounds the inner ch amber B. The layer Il. of cloth or other suitable material is now spread and secured over the perforated bottom B' of the Vessel B. A suitable distance therefrom, by means of the cleats I) b, is placed the wire frame C. On this Wire frame C is placed the tobacco that is to be treated, and on top of the tobacco is placed a cloth of wool or other material, Il', the object of which is to absorb the condensing steam, and prevent undue moisture to the tobacco. rlhe covers are then placed on the vessels A and B, and steam is introduced and fills the entire unoccupied space of the vessel A. This steam passes up through the felt H, through the openings of the wire frame C, and thence to the tobacco, permeating in the most thorough manner the entire body of tobacco, and thus in a few hours turning the lightest brown leaf or Wrapper into a deep dark brown, thus greatly advancing its marketable value and robbing it of all its nicotine, and all being accomplished Without in any manner injuring the ber of the leaf, and leaving it as easy to Work and as pliable as was the tobacco before subjected to treatment in my apparatus.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The combination of the inner vessel B, having a perforated bottom, B', layer H, constructed ot' wool or other suitable material, and an elevated open frame, C, the whole being combined and arranged to operate substantially as described.

2. The combination of the inner lvessel B, having a perforated bottom, B', layer H, constructed ot' wool or other suitable material, open and elevated frame C, and the cloth or woolen covering H', the Whole being combined and arranged substantially as described.

3. The outer vessel A, inner vessel B, layer H, open elevated frame G, and covering H', the whole being combined and arranged substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of twov subscribing witnesses.

EDMUND J. OPPELT.

Titnessesz EDWIN JAMES, J. E. F. HOLMEAD. 

